Chapter Text
Never in his life did Leona ever imagine this being his future.
Looking at three teenagers who belonged to three of his greatest lovers which are also three of his biggest heartbreaks. A carbon copy of the faces he tries desperately to forget.
He had cut ties and ghosted everyone from his past, settling on living in a forest nestled deep in The Shaftlands.
Bang!
Leona looked outside. Two of his boys were out, and it was already dark. And whatever that was, it was piercing as it rang his ears. Giving goosebumps all over his body
He sat up only to be held back by his youngest. Hands grip his wrist with a force he's never seen him use before. His fiery blue hair flickered as he held his Mother's hand.
"It's dark out, Mama. Don't go." He muttered, softening his hold after realization.
"Sydra, your brothers are out there." He remarked. Looking back outside, to see if he'll catch a glimpse of his other sons.
"I'll look for them." He said in uncharacteristic calmness, and before Leona could say anything more, he was out the door, leaving his cup of milk cold, and the mother confused.
Sydra never offered to do anything. His brothers often commented that he'd rather stick with Leona than do anything with them.
It didn't take him long to find both of his brothers standing over something, and Sevens, it was foul. Albeit it was too dark to make out. But he knows it was another one of Sephyros' mistakes.
"Mama's calling you both home." He said, eyeing them with annoyance. His two older brothers really had to ruin his moment with their mother.
He heard them both mutter their version of a sorry, then stood up.
"Mom's right, it is getting late." The blonde agreed, nodding and removing his jacket. Sydra didn't need to glance at what coated it.
"Solis, bending to Ma's whim." The black haired one mumbled.
"Quiet yourself, Sephyros. Remove your jacket too." Replied Solis. Watching Sephyros unbuttoned his jacket.
"We'll deal with this tomorrow." The curly haired blonde told his brothers.
All three walked in silence. A slight tension hanging in the cold night air.
"Mama heard that." Sydra looked at them. Specifically, the shotgun that hung off Sephyros' back.
Solis shot his middle brother a glare. Hitting his shoulder with minimal but hurtful force.
"I knew that was a stupid thing to do!" He yelled.
"Ma knows I go hunting. It's the best excuse we have." Assuring both his eldest and younger brother, disarming said gun.
"But you don't hunt at night!, it's almost 8pm! Mom's not stupid." He gritted his teeth, his perfect face twisting in worry and annoyance.
"I said leave it! I can conjure up some half ass excuse, Solis!" The half fae shot back. His brother was such a worrywart it's so annoying and just makes his head hurt.
"Shut up!" The youngest cuts in, silencing them both immediately.
"We're here." He continued.
"Home." Solis announced. Nudging Sydra who took both their jackets and ran to their shed. The lights were dim and orange in color, their home smelled of cinnamon and sandalwood. And it was weirdly warm, a tingling sensation crawled on both brothers skins. Their mother in view, cooking dinner.
"Good. Now help me out here." He didn't even turn to look at them which was good as they scurried around to make themselves presentable.
A whisper of 'fix your hair' to a mumble of 'straighten your shirt', Leona absentmindedly chuckled, hearing his boys scold each other.
Their voiced were as familiar as their faces. The only thing Leona hated about his children was every time he looked at them. And it's a bad thing, he should love them, but his genes could have at least tried.
"Smells good, what are you cooking?" The eldest materialized behind Leona, who jumped.
"Now, what is wrong with you?" He reprimanded, pointing the ladle at the teen. Who gave a small smile.
"My bad, I was just curious." He apologized, stationing himself in front of the cutting board, continuing where Leona left off with the vegetables. The two remaining followed suit. Sydra cleaned the table while Sephyros sets it. No one said anything, but the three would exchange looks, like the way Sephyros was holding the knife or how something was left in Sydra's room.
When Leona finished cooking all the boys were in their respective seats. Looking at him, with the only thing they inherited from him. Those sharp slitted emerald eyes. It always felt like looking into the mirror whenever he makes eye contact with them.
"That's creepy, stop it." He narrowed his eyes at them. Setting the pot down.
"I have something to attend to, you boys start eating." They just nodded while Leona exited the dining room.
"You think he noticed anything?" Solis started as both just gave him an unsure shrug and shake of the bed.
"Yeah right, Sephyros is reeking of blood." Sydra said, Sephyros ignoring them to eat.
"Sephyros is the least suspicious for reeking of blood, He hunts out animals everyday." Solis explained, it was true. Sephyros smelling of gore like this was nothing new.
"You know, what we should talk about is the clothes in Sydra's room, mom's gonna find those" the ravenette said, spinning his spoon in a gesture. Solis hummed.
"He's right, we should burn it." Two nods.
"Later tonight when mom's asleep." He continued planning out everything.
"Sydra will hide for the time being." The youngest assented. Shutting up when their mother re-entered.
"What are you three talking about?" He sat down. Serving himself a plate.
"Just about cleaning Sydra's room." Sephyros muttered.
"Oh yes, clean your rooms tomorrow okay?" They nod.
"We'll do it later, Mama." The fire haired boy beamed at his mom.
"That's my boys." He praised, lighting up a candle for more light.
Silence fell again.
"Do you want to go to the city tomorrow?" Leona asked them, not looking up from his food, pushing it around the plate.
"Why?" Solis was always the first to speak to out. Their mother never offered anything like this. Like ever, he always said the outside of the forest was crazy and chaotic. And with what was happening in today's day and age, from the things they saw in the news on their crappy old TV no one even uses, their interest in going out in the big wide world dwindled.
"Forget it, I'll go myself-" Leona sighed, he didn't really want to give a reason to his children, he can't just say 'oh cause I genuinely hate your father's that I live in a forest so they can't find us!'. Absolutely not.
"No. we'll come." Sephyros cuts in. He seemed agitated and no one questioned it. Especially Leona, who always told his brothers to leave their middle half be whenever he acts out like this.
"Yes, we'd love to!" Sydra grinned. Despite the glimmer in his eyes, his hands gripped the fork tightly, noticeable to only his siblings.
"Agreed." Solis nodded, stretching out his hand to hold Leona's.
"It might be the first and only time you'll ever offer." He smiled when Leona looked up at them. Mirrored the smile.
"Behave yourselves okay?" He warned, returning the soft hold his oldest had on him.
Oh of course they would, they wouldn't dream of embarrassing their mother.
They eyed each other. A small glint in their eyes passing around like they were doing telepathy. All thinking the same thing.
Mayhem. Subtle, but there.
Half brothers. Same mind.